-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A competitor has died and another is in hospital following a tragic end to the World Sauna Championships in southern Finland .

Russian Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy died Saturday after taking part in the final of a competition in which contestants are required to withstand rising temperatures for as long as possible .

Finnish finalist Timo Kaukonen was also taken to hospital for treatment , organizer Ossi Arvela said in a statement posted on the event 's website .

Images of the contest showed Ladyzhenskiy and Kaukonen sitting side by side in the sauna . Both contestants can then be seen lying on the ground , apparently doused in water . Ladyzhenskiy appears to be suffering from severe skin burns .

`` The event was interrupted immediately after the accident . Competition organization grieves these sad events , '' Avela said .

Finnish police and organizers are investigating the incident , Arvela said . But he said first aid personnel had been in place and all competitors taking part in the contest had provided doctor 's certificates . `` All the rules were followed , '' he said .

The World Sauna Championships take place annually in the town of Heinola .

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Finnish event sees competitors attempting to withstand rising temperatures

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Russian finalist Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy died after Saturday 's final

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His opponent , Finland 's Timo Kaukonen , was taken to hospital

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Police are investigating incident but `` rules were followed , '' organizers say